| Complaint: | Complaint 22-11 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Madelyn Melchiors |
| Premises: | Cerbat Cliffs Animal Hospital |
The complainant begins by including a letter and a business card from her rescue. It's addressed to Cerbat Cliffs thanking them for their help with a now-deceased pet, but mentions concerns that private information regarding the pet was somehow leaked to the public. The remainder of the complaint is handwritten and addressed directly to Tracy (Reindeau) at the board.
The letter states that the pet in question came to the rescue as a "very fragile dog." Their investigation allegedly determined the dog was abused and potentially thrown from a hot air balloon; x-rays also allegedly found a bullet near the spine. The dog was taken to Veterinary Neurological Center, which was apparently willing to help the dog contingent on fatty tissue being removed from the dog. Low Cost Spay and Neuter was apparently willing to help but found cancer and recommended euthanasia; we're told that she said no, but only 50% of the cancer was removed, leaving the dog a poor surgical candidate for a second operation at Cerbat Cliffs. She states that nobody knew she even took the dog there, yet shows a social media posting indicating the dog was taken there in very poor condition. The complainant states that this is not true. There's also a "standard of conduct" paper with someone else's handwritten notes, in part stating that the rescuer and the rescue have a poor reputation in some places.
Melchiors begins by stating that the dog was seen by her at Cerbat Cliffs as a result of an animal welfare complaint by Mohave County Animal Control. Based on her exam and the records, she states it was obvious that the dog's health was in "overall decline" and "had multiple issues prior to her visit." She also states that she cannot "verify with this exam that the patient was properly cared for, only that her current condition was stable." The dog was subsequently dropped off for another visit by a rescue volunteer, at which point euthanasia was recommended; Melchoirs recommended euthanasia as the dog was unable to rise or interact with her. The complainant arrived to say goodbye and requested some last photos of her with the dog.
Melchoirs states that there was a very short list of individuals who could have leaked the information. She specifically states that the receptionist on duty that day, Jakki, was later approached on Facebook by a Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic employee to find out more about the now-dead dog. She states that Jakki never responded and none of the other employees had any outside communications on the matter. Melchiors says that the complainant had multiple interactions with the office manager; after receiving a certified letter the legal team for Pet Vet Care Centers (the big company behind this little clinic) told them to stop responding at all. Melchoirs suggests that since curbside delivery was in force during this time, there was no guarantee someone didn't see the complainant in the parking lot.
There are Findings of Fact from the Investigative Division but no Investigative Committee hearing on this one. One of the Findings of Fact state that Penelope Townsend, the person who made the social media post, said she got the information from a rescue volunteer and not from the clinic.
| Source: | December 12, 2021 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Jessica Creager |
| Seconded By: | Darren Wright |
| Roll Call: | |
| Craig Nausley | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Melissa Thompson | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
The primary source for the above summary was obtained as a public record from the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. You are welcome to review the original records and board meeting minutes by clicking the relevant links. While we endeavor to provide an accurate summary of the complaint, response, investigative reports and board actions, we encourage you to review the primary sources and come to your own conclusions. In some cases we have also been able to reach out to individuals with knowledge of specific complaints, and where possible that information will be included here.